Kapla an impact defender for UML (video)

LOWELL -- Michael Kapla arrived at UMass Lowell last fall determined to carve out a niche for himself in a River Hawks' program that had plenty of talent returning from a Frozen Four appearance.

And it didn't take the freshman from Eau Claire, Wisc., long to be cast in a prominent role on UML's defense. Kapla has not only been a fixture on the blue line since the start of the season, he has blossomed into one of the top young players in Hockey East.

Kapla heads into Saturday's NCAA Northeast Regional game against Minnesota State at the DCU Center in Worcester (7:30 p.m. faceoff) with 16 points (2 goals) on the season and a plus-minus rating of +16.

UMass Lowell freshman defenseman Michael Kapla is excited to play in his first NCAA Tournament game Saturday. SUN/JULIA MALAKIE

He was recognized for his outstanding play by being named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team.

"You never expect a freshman to come in and play the type of minutes he has," said UMass Lowell coach Norm Bazin. "You expect him to come in and compete for a top-six role. We did have big aspirations for him, but in term of minutes he has played more minutes than we thought. That's a tribute to him and how hard he's worked.

"I think his second half (of the season) has been even better than his first half. He's really developed nicely as the season has gone along. We feel his better days are ahead of him.

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Kapla, who stands 6 feet and weighs 195 pounds, is a good puck-moving defenseman who takes care of business in his own zone, makes his presence felt on offense (5 points on the power play), can play the body and does a great blocking shots (43 blocked shots in 37 games regular-season games).

He was his usual composed self, doing exactly what he was capable of doing in every situation, without trying to do too much in UML's wins over Notre Dame (4-0) and the University of New Hampshire (4-0) en route to capturing the Hockey East Tournament title this past weekend. Kapla was a +3 against UNH.

"I have to give a lot of the credit for my success to my teammates, I couldn't do it without them," said Kapla. "From the beginning of the season I've just tried to play my game and see where I fit in because, obviously, there were a lot of good pieces coming back (from a Frozen Four team).

"I just go out and play my game. That's what I've been doing all year. After I got a few games under my belt, and I was doing well, things just kind of clicked for me and I knew I could play here."

Kapla has been paired on defense much of the season with sophomore Christian Folin, who has netted 19 points. Folin knew early on that Kapla was going to contribute right away.

"It's been a lot of fun playing with him," said Folin. "He's a great kid. He does all the little things right, and I think that's the biggest reason for his success.

"I knew right away he'd be an impact player. You could tell the first few practices that he was a good puck-moving defenseman. He's been doing a great job all year."

Skating regularly alongside a player of Folin's caliber has helped Kapla quickly navigate his way around the learning curve all freshmen must go through during their first season in Hockey East.

"He's kind of like a mentor to me," said Kapla. "I watch and learn from him every single day.

UML freshman defenseman Michael Kapla holds the trophy after the River Hawks captured the Hockey East playoff title Saturday in Boston. AP PHOTO

I kind of pick up on the little things he does and it's really helped me over the course of the year."

Kapla, 19, played two seasons with the Sioux City Musketeers of the United States Hockey League, notching 26 points in 54 games before coming to UMass Lowell. He was recruited by several Division 1 programs, but decided UML was the right place for him to play his college hockey.

"I came out here on a visit and I loved the Tsongas (Center), the campus is great and I liked the coaches," said Kapla. "I felt this was the place for me. I knew there were a lot of good guys coming back. And coach Bazin has done a great job building the program the past few years.

"The beginning of the year I was trying to figure out college life, while adjusting to the speed of the game at this level. There was definitely an adjustment period but I've been able to make the transition. This program has a promising future and I'm excited to be part of it."

Beginning Saturday in Worcester the future is now for Kapla and the River Hawks.

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